Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 UMass Dartmouth Graduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 UMass Dartmouth Graduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Master of Business Administration (MBA)


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Academic Policies for MBA Program

Academic standing in the UMass Dartmouth MBA program is governed by the following policies:

  1. Prospective MBA students can take up to 2 (two) core courses or six credits before matriculation.
  2. Students should complete all course work for the MBA degree within ten successive semesters after candidacy status in the MBA advanced core program.
  3. Requests for a leave of absence from the university should be submitted in writing to the Director for Graduate Studies before the start of any given semester. The deadline for a leave of absence request will concur with that of registration for the coming semester.
  4. If a regular (not summer) semester passes with a break in registration, and the student has not secured written permission from the Director, he or she will be dropped from the program. The student may be reinstated upon application to the Director for Graduate Studies when one semester is skipped. If two successive regular semesters pass with a break in registration, the student will be automatically dropped from the program and must reapply for admission through the Graduate Studies Office.
  5. Students are required to maintain a cumulative average of “B” or better in all courses attempted at UMass Dartmouth. By general policy, only grades of “C” or higher will be accepted toward the MBA degree. When calculating interim cumulative averages, incomplete “I” grades which are older than one semester will be considered as “F.”
  6. No more than two grades below “B-” will be allowed. Grades ranging from “A” to “C” are passing grades. If a grade of “C-” or less is received, the course must be repeated and a higher grade must be obtained
  7. Candidates who satisfy all the course requirements but have not achieved the 3.0 average may be allowed to take a maximum of six additional credits to improve their average. Individuals who fall into this category must first appeal to the Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies for permission.
  8. If at any time during the course of study a student’s cumulative average falls below 3.0, the individual will be notified in writing and will be placed on academic probation. A student who fails to improve his/her cumulative average in the following semester may be dismissed from the program.
  9. The recommendation to dismiss a MBA student is made by the Director, Graduate Studies to the Assistant Dean, Graduate Programs, CCB with a copy to the student. The individual may appeal to the Assistant Dean, not to accept the recommendation, in writing, within thirty calendar days of receipt of the copy of the Director’s recommendation. The Dean of the Charlton College of Business, along with the Associate Provost for Graduate Studies will make the final determination as to whether to rescind the dismissal. The individual will be permitted to continue in the MBA program while an appeal is in progress.
  10. Students are required to notify the MBA Office of formal withdrawal from the program. This should be in addition to official notification to the Registrar’s office.
  11. Notify in writing both the Registrar’s office and the MBA Office of change of address.
  12. Students may transfer a maximum of 6 semester hours of credits from AACSB accredited institutions to the MBA program with the approval of the Assistant Dean, Graduate Programs, CCB, provided the courses have a B or better grade. Exceptions may be made upon a petition to, and approval of, the Graduate Policy Committee and in the case of formal exchange agreements.

Requirements


MBA Foundation


Students must demonstrate that they possess competency in the areas of knowledge upon which advanced study is based. They demonstrate this by satisfactory completion, or waiver, of the MBA Foundation courses.

Students are required to take 3 foundation courses, unless they have the necessary undergraduate course work to waive one or more of the foundation courses.  Undergraduate business majors may have completed these courses in their undergraduate degree program.

Foundation Courses will be waived upon completion, with at least a grade of “B minus” or the equivalent, of the corresponding upper-division undergraduate or graduate business course taken as part of an undergraduate baccalaureate degree program.

 MBA applicants who are deficient in these areas or who think a review would be beneficial before beginning the core MBA program should also enroll in the foundation.

Graduate Foundation courses


The Advanced Business Courses


Students must complete seven required advanced core courses for 21 credits and electives equaling 9 credits. These courses build upon the foundation knowledge by presenting interdisciplinary, case-based material that develops the student’s ability to manage or operate complex business operations.

The minimum credits for the MBA are 30, exclusive of foundation courses.

Once enrolled in the program, candidates are expected to take all courses at UMass Dartmouth. However, up to 6 credits may be transferred into this sequence, either at the time of admission or after enrolling in the MBA program, to satisfy elective course requirements. In extenuating circumstances, students may be allowed to transfer advanced core courses taken at an AACSB accredited college or university. If students wish to receive credit, they must apply to the Assistant Dean, Graduate Programs, CCB for approval prior to taking a course at another institution. Only courses having a grade of “B” or better will be considered for credit transfer.

Course Requirements for Degree


Seven core courses constitute the heart of the program. There is a strong emphasis on cross-functional examples and student participatory activities that reflect the interdisciplinary nature and complexity of actual business challenges.

Elective Courses: 9 credits


The student must complete nine credits choosing from an option below:

  • Option A: Concentration 

    (Note: some concentration options require 12 credits)

    Accounting (9 credits required)

    Business Analytics (9 credits required)

    Environmental Policy (jointly with Dept. of Public Policy) (12 credits required)

    Finance (9 credits required)

    Healthcare Management (jointly with College of Nursing) (9 credits required)

    International Business (9 credits required)

    Marketing (9 credits required)

    Organizational Leadership (9 credits required)

    Public Management (jointly with Dept. of Public Policy) (12 credits required)

    Supply Chain Management & Information System (9 credits required)

 

  • Option B: Individualized Option

       (Elective examples below. All CCB courses 600 and above, not including 650 Core MBA courses, are allowable options.) 9 Credits required.

Special Topics, Independent Study or Directed Study in Each Discipline


  • Special Topics (690)
  • Independent Study (695)
  • Directed Study (696)

 

Concentrations


Students can identify their concentration by completing a request for concentration form in the Charlton Graduate Studies Program. For more information, please see the MBA Fact Sheet available through the Charlton College of Business Graduate Programs Office.

 

Total credits: 30


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